Ponzi Schemes and other examples of fraud cast a giant shadow on America’s recovery and overall future. Just how prevalent property and investment fraud are is not totally clear, but losing billions to criminals cannot help the American Dream.

Just what the real estate industry does not need, news of real estate fraud schemes, surfaced in a court pleading from San Fernando, California. A defendant, Celia Gallardo,, pled guilty to perpetrating a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme to defraud several Santa Clarita Valley businesses.

A Dallas man has been indicted in connection with a commercial real estate investment scheme, according to U.S. District Attorney John M. Bales. At a time when trust in real estate investments is demanded, it appears trust abuses remain one of America’s biggest problems for recovery.